What is the Best Ship to Start With in Starfield?
The best ship to start with in Starfield depends heavily on your playstyle and priorities. However, if you’re looking for a well-rounded and powerful ship you can acquire early and completely free, the Razorleaf is the clear winner. Its superior weapons, shielded cargo hold, and relatively easy acquisition make it a top choice for most players venturing into the vast expanse of space. While the initial Frontier ship is a decent starter, the Razorleaf provides a significant upgrade early in your game.
Why the Razorleaf Reigns Supreme
The Razorleaf’s appeal lies in its balance of practicality and firepower. Here’s a breakdown of what makes it so good:
- Free Acquisition: Obtaining the Razorleaf doesn’t require spending valuable credits. It’s the reward for completing the Mantis quest line, which starts by finding a “Secret Outpost!” slate randomly dropped by Spacers.
- Effective Weapons: The Razorleaf comes equipped with a solid set of weapons that are sufficient for engaging early to mid-game enemies. This allows you to comfortably navigate dangerous encounters and earn rewards.
- Shielded Cargo Hold: This is a crucial feature for players interested in smuggling contraband. The shielded cargo capacity of 160 allows you to transport illegal goods without immediately triggering alarms at security checkpoints.
- Intimidation Factor: Flying the Razorleaf strikes fear into the hearts of Spacers. Encountering Spacer ships will sometimes result in them fleeing rather than engaging in combat, saving you time and resources.
- Upgradeable: Although it’s a great starting point, the Razorleaf can be further upgraded and customized to suit your evolving needs and play style. It is a strong foundation for a more powerful ship.
Beyond the Razorleaf: Other Early Game Options
While the Razorleaf is an excellent choice, other ships can be acquired early in the game:
- Frontier: This is the ship you receive at the beginning of the game. It’s a decent starter ship, but it quickly becomes outclassed. You can modify it extensively and sell it for a good profit, if desired.
- Star Eagle: Obtained by completing the Freestar Rangers questline, the Star Eagle is another excellent free ship. It’s a step up from the Razorleaf in terms of firepower and hull strength, making it a worthy alternative.
- UC Prison Shuttle: This ship can be obtained through a side quest. It is a decent, free ship with an interesting backstory.
- Wanderwell: This ship can be obtained through a side quest.
- Kepler R: This is one of the better ships that you can acquire, particularly given that it’s free and offers a solid foundation for customization.
Ultimately, the “best” early game ship is subjective, but for the reasons outlined above, the Razorleaf provides the most immediate benefits for most players.
Essential Early Game Ship Upgrades
Regardless of which ship you choose, upgrading key components will dramatically improve your ship’s performance. Prioritize the following:
- Reactor: A better reactor provides more power, allowing you to equip more powerful weapons, shields, and engines.
- Engines: Upgraded engines improve your ship’s speed and maneuverability, essential for both combat and exploration.
- Weapons: Invest in better lasers, missiles, or particle beams to increase your damage output.
- Shields: A stronger shield will increase your survivability in combat.
- Cargo Capacity: Increasing your cargo capacity allows you to carry more resources and goods, maximizing your profit from trading and exploration.
Don’t forget to invest in your piloting skills. Piloting skills will help you access better components to upgrade your ship.
FAQs: Your Starfield Ship Questions Answered
1. How early can I get the Razorleaf?
You can start the Mantis quest line almost immediately after beginning the main story. Just keep an eye out for Spacer enemies and loot the “Secret Outpost!” slate from them.
2. Is the Razorleaf good for combat?
Yes, the Razorleaf’s weapons are effective against early to mid-game enemies. Its maneuverability also makes it suitable for dogfighting.
3. Can I upgrade the Razorleaf?
Absolutely! The Razorleaf can be extensively upgraded and customized at any ship technician or at your own outpost.
4. Is the shielded cargo hold on the Razorleaf useful?
Yes! The shielded cargo hold is incredibly useful for smuggling contraband, allowing you to earn significant profits.
5. What are the best early-game ship weapons to buy?
Focus on upgrading your lasers and missiles. Particle beams are powerful but require more power from your reactor.
6. Where can I buy ship parts in Starfield?
Ship parts can be purchased from ship technicians in major cities like New Atlantis, Akila City, and Neon.
7. How do I increase my ship’s cargo capacity?
You can increase your ship’s cargo capacity by purchasing and installing larger cargo containers.
8. What are the benefits of having a high-powered reactor?
A high-powered reactor allows you to equip more powerful weapons, shields, and engines, significantly enhancing your ship’s overall performance.
9. Is it worth buying a ship early in Starfield?
Yes, buying a ship early in Starfield is generally a good idea. It provides better combat capabilities, more cargo space, and improved travel options.
10. How many ships can I own in Starfield?
You can own up to ten ships in Starfield.
11. Can I steal ships in Starfield?
Yes, you can steal ships in Starfield by disabling them in combat and boarding them.
12. What is the best way to earn credits early in Starfield?
Completing faction missions, selling resources, and smuggling contraband are all effective ways to earn credits early in Starfield.
13. What are the best skills to invest in for ship combat?
Piloting, Shield Systems, Ballistic Weapon Systems, and Missile Weapon Systems are all valuable skills for ship combat.
14. Is there a way to get a better ship for free early in the game?
Yes, completing the Mantis questline rewards you with the Razorleaf, an excellent free ship. Completing the Freestar Rangers questline will award you with the Star Eagle.
15. How does ship customization work in Starfield?
You can customize your ship at any ship technician or at your own outpost, replacing and upgrading various components to suit your needs. You can change weapons, engines, shields, cargo holds, and even the overall appearance of your ship.
Understanding the nuances of ship selection and customization is a key element to improving your Games Learning Society score, as it enables you to optimize resource management, strategic combat, and overall exploration within the game’s vast environment. By teaching players how to adapt and innovate their spacecraft, educational leaders can instill valuable problem-solving and decision-making skills, aligning with the educational principles that GamesLearningSociety.org supports.